Bottle closure



June 17, 1958 J. D. WILSON ETAL BOTTLE CLOSURE Filed Aug. 4, 1955 20 Fig. 4

Joseph 0. Wilson Cecii P. Bur/inson IN V EN TORS United States Patenf'O BOTTLE CLOSURE Joseph D. Wilson and Cecil P. Burlinson, Sacramento, Calif.

Application August 4, 1955, Serial No. 526,471

2 Claims. (Cl. 222-484) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in dispensing stoppers or closures particularly for alcoholic, carbonated and other beverage, etc, bottles and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character which may be expeditiously opened and tightly closed for sealing the bottle with a finger of the hand which holds said bottle.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a beverage, etc. dispensing bottle stopper or closure of the aforementioned character which may be readily cleaned and maintained in a highly sanitary condition at all times and wherein, further, the various parts may be easily removed for replacement should they become worn or damaged.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a dispensing stopper or closure of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, highly efiicient and reliable in use, attractive in appearance and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing closure constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view in vertical section, taken substantially on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view substantially similar to Figure 2 but showing the device in closed position; and

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a substantially circular housing of suitable material and dimensions which isdesignated generally by reference character 5. The housing 5 is provided, in its upper portion, with a circumferentially extending slot 6. The housing 5 further includes an integral side wall 7 and a threaded, removable side wall 8. Aligned pins or stub shafts 9 are mounted in the side walls 7 and 8 and project therefrom into the housing 5.

Formed integrally with the lower portion of the housing 5 is what may be considered a cap or the like 10 for the reception of the neck 11 of a beverage or other bottle. The cap 10 includes a depending, centrally located tubular stem 12 which communicates with thehousing 5. Removably mounted on the stem 12 is a bushing or sleeve 13 of cork or other suitable resilient material for frictionally retaining the closure in the bottle and for sealing said bottle against leakage of either liquid or gas. To ward this end, the sealing sleeve 13 includes an enlarged upper end portion 14 which is engageable with the upper end of the bottle neck. The annular flange or skirt 15 2 of the cap 10 comprises an internally beveled lower portion 16 to facilitate mounting the device on the bottle. Extendingvertically through the cap 10 and depending from the lower end of the tubular stem 12 is an air tube or pipe 17.

A substantially circular core 18 is journaled on the shafts 9 for oscillation in the housing 5. The core 18 is mounted slightly off center in the housing 5 for providing clearance 19 to ensure ease of operation. The core 18 has formed radially therein an angulated passage 20. 'Ihreadedly mounted in the outlet end portion of the passage 20 is a removable, interchangeable pouring spout 22 of suitable diameter. Recessed into the core 18 at the inlet end of the passage 20 is a sealing ring 23. The core 18 is further provided, adjacent to and rearwardly of the passage 20, with a vent 24 for communication with the tube 17 when the spout 22 is in pouring position, as seen in Figure 2 of the drawing.

The core 18 is still further provided with a peripheral recess or chamber 25. The chamber 25 is for the reception of a valve 26 which is engageable with the upper end of the tubular stem 12 for closing and positively sealing same. Toward this end, the valve 26 includes a resilient element 27 of cork, rubber or other suitable material, which is mounted on a backing plate 28. A bowed spring 29 in the recess 25 is engaged with the plate 28 for yieldingly urging the element 27 outwardly.

It is thought that the operation of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, when the dispenser is closed, as shown in Figure 3 of the drawing, the spout 22 extends through the rear portion of the slot 6 and the valve 26 closes and seals the tubular stem 12. With the core 18 in the position of Figure 3 of the drawing, it will be observed that the vent 24 is out of alignment with the tube 17 and both ends of said vent are closed by the housing 5. To dispense the fluid in the bottle 11, the spout 22 is swung forwardly to the forward end portion of the slot 6, as seen in Figure 2 of the drawing. When the core 18 is thus actuated, the valve 26 uncovers the tubular stem 12 and the passage 20 is brought into alignment therewith. Also, the vent 24 is brought into communication with the air tube 17 to ensure the free discharge of the fluid when the bottle 11 is tipped to the desired angle.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A dispensing closure of the character described comprising: a cap for mounting on a bottle and including a tubular stem engageable therein, a resilient sleeve on said stem for sealing the bottle and frictionally securing the cap thereon, a substantially circular housing integral with the cap and communicating with the stem, said housing having a peripheral, circumferentially extending slot therein, an air tube in the cap communicating with the housing, a core mounted for oscillation in the housing and having a radial passage therethrough for communication with the tubular stem, a pouring spout on the core communicating with the passage and operable in the slot, said core further having a vent therein for communicating with the tube and the slot when the passage is in communication with the stem, and a valve on the core for closing and seal-ing the stem when the passage is out of communication therewith, said core still further having a peripheral recess therein, said valve comprising a backing plate mounted in the recess, a resilient seal- Patented June 17, 1958' ing element mounted on said backing plate, and a bowed spring in the recess engaged withthe backing platefor yieldingly urging the sealing-element outwardly against the housing.

2. A dispensing closurecon 'prising: a t ibular'st'emin-j and a resilient, spring-pressed valve mounted on said 7 core for closing and sealing the air tube and the stem when the passage is out of communication with said stem,

said valve being yieldingly engaged with and operable on the housing for frictionally securing the core in adjusted position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,500,347 Stubbers July 8, 1924 2,127,465 Church 'Aug. 16, 1938 

